Minimalism: More Than Decluttering, A Call to Intentional Living
I often joke, “I was a minimalist before minimalism was cool.” And while there’s some truth to that, my journey has shown me that minimalism—true minimalism—is about far more than decluttering or curating a perfectly organized, aesthetically pleasing home.
The world has taken minimalism and turned it into a trend, one focused on getting rid of excess stuff. But if we stop there, we miss the real issue. The problem isn’t clutter. The problem is discontentment.
Our culture thrives on overconsumption. We buy, accumulate, and chase after more, hoping it will bring us joy, security, or a sense of accomplishment. And when our homes become crowded with too much, we turn to decluttering as a solution—only to repeat the cycle when the next thing catches our eye. But as believers, we are called to something different.
The Heart of Minimalism: Living on Mission
It is my belief that Christians, by identity, are and should be minimalists. Not in the trendy, Pinterest-perfect sense, but in the biblical sense—people who are not consumed by acquiring things but are consumed with living for Christ. Minimalism, at its core, is not about how much we own but about what owns us.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” When we live in pursuit of worldly possessions, we become distracted from our true calling. But when we live with open hands, stewarding what God has given us rather than hoarding or seeking more, we can fully embrace the mission He has for us.
More Than Less: Intentional Living as an Act of Faith
Minimalism isn’t about simply having less. It’s about being intentional with what we keep, what we pursue, and how we spend our time. It’s about creating space—not just in our homes, but in our hearts—to focus on what truly matters.
Practical ways to live intentionally as a believer:
Pursue contentment over consumption – Ask yourself, Am I buying this because I need it, or because I’m chasing satisfaction in things rather than in God?
Hold things loosely – Everything we have is a gift from God, meant to be stewarded, not clung to.
Live with purpose – The goal of life isn’t accumulation but mission. Where is God calling you to invest your time, resources, and energy?
Cultivate gratitude – The more we recognize what we already have in Christ, the less we feel the need to fill our lives with more.
A Life That Points to Christ
At the end of the day, minimalism is not the goal—Christ is. The goal isn’t to own less for the sake of less; it’s to live freely, unburdened by the weight of materialism, and fully available to follow where God leads.
So maybe the question isn’t, What do I need to declutter? but rather, What is keeping me from living on mission for Christ? That is the heart of biblical minimalism.
Let’s not just settle for less stuff—let’s live for more of what truly matters. What’s one step you can take today to pursue intentional, Christ-centered living? Share below—I’d love to encourage you on this journey!
